Apparatus and method for mold and mycotoxin remediation

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 63/113,315, filed on Nov. 13, 2020, entitled Systems and Methods For APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MYCOTOXIN REMEDIATION, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

In the art of mold remediation, and in particular for killing mold and eliminating mycotoxins in an enclosed environment such as a home or other structure, mold remediation can be an extremely complicated, expensive, and potentially dangerous process.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide an improved mold and mycotoxin remediation process and system that can kill mold and eliminate mycotoxins without scrubbing, cleaning, fogging, or the use of toxic chemicals.

Embodiments of the mold and mycotoxin remediation system and method kills mold or eliminates mycotoxins. One embodiment serially accesses each one of a plurality of acoustic energy clips that are configured to kill a mold or eliminate a mycotoxin of interest, generates an acoustic energy content signal based on the acoustic energy information of the serially accessed plurality of acoustic energy clips, communicates the generated acoustic energy content signal to a speaker, wherein the speaker emits acoustic energy based on the communicated acoustic energy content signal such that the emitted acoustic energy kills mold or eliminates mycotoxins.

Embodiments of the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemprovide a system and method for mycotoxin remediation. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain molds (fungi) that can be harmful to humans and other animals.

is a block diagram of an embodiment of the mold and mycotoxin remediation system. Embodiments of the mold and mycotoxin remediation systememit prerecorded acoustic energy, which may optionally include acoustic sounds, which are designed to have frequencies that kills mold that produce mycotoxins in a space in proximity to the mold and mycotoxin remediation system. Preferably, the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemis used in an enclosed, air filled environment. However, the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay be used in non-enclosed environments or partially enclosed environments.

The disclosed mold and mycotoxin remediation systemwill become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures merely provide examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various mold and mycotoxin remediation systemsare provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, elements or method steps not expressly recited.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.

“Communicatively coupled” means that an electronic device is communicatively connected to another electronic device, either wirelessly or with a wire based connector, whether directly or indirectly through a communication network. “Controllably coupled” means that the electronic device is controls operation of the other electronic device.

Returning to, an example embodiment of a mold and mycotoxin remediation systemcomprises a processor system, a memory, at least one speaker, an optional transceiver, a user interface, an optional communication port, a power source, a clock, and an optional auxiliary speaker port. The memory includes the control logicand a plurality of audio clips. The mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay be enclosed in a conveniently sized case or enclosuremade of a rugged and durable plastic, metal, or the like.

In some embodiments, the control logicmay be integrated together, and/or may be integrated with other logic. In other embodiments, some or all of these memory and other data manipulation functions may be provided by using a remote server or other electronic devices suitably connected via the Internet or otherwise to a client device. Other embodiments of the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay include some, or may omit some, of the above-described components. Further, additional components not described herein may be included in alternative embodiments.

The plurality of audio clips, interchangeably referred to herein as acoustic energy clips, are used to generate an audio sound clip (interchangeably referred to herein as an acoustic energy clip) that is used to generate acoustic energy that is emitted from one or more speakers. Each one of the plurality of audio clipshas acoustic energy information that has a unique predefined tonal, frequency, volume, and/or duration characteristic that is configured to kill molds and/or eliminate mycotoxins. Each clip is of a predefined duration. In a preferred embodiment, the audio clipsare stored as MP3 digital audio files or the like, though any suitable data format may be used without departing from the functionality of the invention. In some embodiments, the plurality of audio clipsmay be stored in a remote electronic device and may be communicated, via the transceiver, to the mold and mycotoxin remediation system.

In operation, the user places the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemin the enclosed environment having mold that are to be killed and/or mycotoxins that are to be eliminated. Preferably, the enclosed environment is filled by ambient air. Alternative embodiments may be configured to operate in a liquid environment, such as water.

Preferably, the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemis placed in proximity to a region or area of interest that contains, or potentially contains, mold and/or mycotoxins. One skilled in the art appreciates that the effectiveness of the emitted acoustic energy will have limited range. If the region or area of interest is larger than the effective range of a single mold and mycotoxin remediation system, then a plurality of mold and mycotoxin remediation systemsmay be strategically placed within the region or area to ensure effective coverage.

In some embodiments, the acoustic energy is able to penetrate materials, such as passing through paint, wall paper, wood and/or drywall. Accordingly, any mold within and/or behind the acoustic energy permeable material will be killed. Mycotoxins within and/or behind the acoustic energy permeable material will be eliminated.

After placement of the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemin an interior region of interest, a user actuates an on/off switchto start the mold and mycotoxin remediation process. In some embodiments, an actuation command (turn on or turn off) may be generated and communicated by a remote electronic device that is received, via the transceiver, by the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemwhich turns on or turns off the mold and mycotoxin remediation system. The remotely generated actuations signal may be advantageous to concurrently control multiple mold and mycotoxin remediation systems. In some applications, the transceivermay be configured to receive cellular signals and/or Wi-Fi signals generated by a remote electronic device, such as a smart phone or other mobile user device.

The processor system, executing the control logic, then retrieves a selected one of the plurality of audio clipsfrom the memory. The processor systemthan generates an acoustic energy content signal based on the acoustic energy data (acoustic energy information) of the accessed audio clip. The acoustic energy content signal is communicated to the speaker(s). The speakerthen emits acoustic energy configured to kill mold and/or eliminate mycotoxins. In some embodiments, a plurality of speakersmay be employed to control the effective coverage area of the mold and mycotoxin remediation system.

In some embodiments, the acoustic energy data in one or more of the audio clipsmay include an audible sound that can be heard by the user. However, some audio clipsmay not include audible sound. That is, the audible sound emitted from the speakermay not be discernable by a human. In some embodiments, the audible sound heard by the user may not be configured to kill mold and/or eliminate mycotoxins, but rather be an audible indicator to the user that the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemis emitting acoustic energy.

Any suitable type of speakerthat is operable to emit acoustic energy may be used by the various embodiments. In some embodiments, the speakermay be an air coil inductor or other suitable silent vibrational transducer that is configured to emit acoustic energy, and are referred to herein interchangeably as a speakerfor the purposes of this disclosure. Any such acoustic energy generator now known or later developed are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

When presentation of the acoustic energy generated from the first audio clip has completed, the processor systemretrieves another one of the plurality of audio clipsfrom the memory. Then, the acoustic energy associated with that second audio clipis played (emitted from the speaker).

In the various embodiments, a plurality of predefined audio clipsare selectively arranged so that they are retrieved and played in a predefined sequence. The series of audio clipsis interchangeably referred to as a playlist. A playlist may be used to define the order in which the series of audio clipsare accessed and played. In some embodiments, the playlist may define the duration of play for the specified audio clips. Preferably, one or more of the predefined audio clipsare copyrighted. Alternatively, the predefined series of audio clipsmay be compiled into a single larger audio clip, referred to herein as a composite audio clip. In some embodiments, the predefined audio clipsare randomly selected during operation of the mold and mycotoxin remediation system. Alternatively, or additionally, audio clipsmay be selected based on some predefined criteria that has been associated with the selected audio clip. As noted herein, the selected audio clipsmay be remotely defined by a remote electronic device, and then may be communicated to the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemover a wireless and/or wire-based communication system for play and/or storage.

This process of repeatedly generating acoustic energy based on a plurality of sequentially accessed audio clipscontinues for some predefined duration that is monitored by the optional clock. At the end of the predefined duration, the process of repeatedly generating the acoustic energy automatically ends. Alternatively, the user may manually end the process of repeatedly generating the acoustic energy.

In some embodiments, the clockis an integrated component or element of the processor system. In an exemplary use, the audio clipsare presented continuously for one hour. For example, but not limited to, twenty of the audio clipsmay be presented over the one hour presentation duration. In some embodiments, this presentation duration can be adjustable by the user via one or more controllers of the user interfaceand/or by using a remote electronic device, such as a smart phone or the like. In some embodiments, the remote electronic device may use its own clock to monitor the predefined duration, and then issue a shut off signal to the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemat the in response to expiration of the predefined period.

In some embodiments, a communication portis provided that is used to communicatively couple the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemto another electronic device, such as a computer or the like. The mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay be directly connected to the remote computer, and/or may be connected via a communication systems such as the internet or the like. The user may then download particular audio clipsof interest that are then stored into the memory. Alternatively, or additionally, the user may download one or more predefined playlists that may optionally be configured to be particularly effective against a particular type (species) of mold and/or mycotoxin.

The user may optionally modify the control logic to control the sequence and/or order of play of the plurality of audio clips. For example, the user may rearrange the sequence of presentation of audio clips, may define the number of audio clipsthat are played, and/or may repeat play particular audio clipsdepending on need. The user may input their specification using the user interface. Alternatively, or additionally, a remote computer and/or electronic device may include logic that is used to control and/or modify the control logicof the mold and mycotoxin remediation system. Alternatively, or additionally, the control logicmay reside in the computer which is controllably coupled to the mold and mycotoxin remediation system.

The communication portmay be configured to receive an external memory device, such as a TF card or other flash memory device. Here, audio clipsmay be downloaded from the memory device and stored into the memory. Alternatively, or additionally, the audio clipsstored on the external memory device may be directly used by the processor systemto generate the emitted acoustic energy. This approach may be particularly effective against a particular type (species) of mold and/or mycotoxin where the particular plurality of audio clipsstored on the external memory device are designed to target a particular mold and/or mycotoxin.

In embodiments with the wireless transceiver, the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay be directly communicatively coupled to a remote electronic device via wireless communication signals. In such embodiments, the wireless communication system may be a low power communication system, such as a near-field communication system. An example near-field communication is Bluetooth. Any suitable low power and/or near-field communication system now known or later developed may be used in the various embodiments. A low power near-field communication system may be suitable when the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemis in close proximity to a remote computer or other electronic device, such as a smart phone or the mobile user electronic device. Alternatively, or additionally, other wireless communication systems may be used by the transceiver, such as WiFi systems, cellular telephony systems, radio systems, or the like.

Any suitable power sourcemay be used in the various alternatives. An example embodiment may use one or more rechargeable or replaceable batteries. Alternatively, or additionally, a power source may include an outlet plug configured to receive power from a conventional utility grid.

In embodiments that include the auxiliary speaker port, one or more auxiliary speakers (not shown) may be communicatively coupled to the mold and mycotoxin remediation system. Accordingly, a plurality of external speakers may be strategically placed to direct emitted mold killing and mycotoxin eliminating acoustic energy towards particular areas of interest.

In some embodiments, the speakerof the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay be optionally deactivated (emit no acoustic energy) while one or more auxiliary speakers are used to emit the acoustic energy. For example, but not limited to, the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay be provisioned in a smart phone or other mobile user electronic device. For example, but not limited to, a smart phone may be communicatively coupled and controllably coupled to one or more auxiliary speakers that are configured to receive the acoustic energy data (acoustic energy information) generated by the smart phone or the like. Here, the audio clipsmay be stored or accessed by the smart phone or other mobile user electronic device. For example, a smart phone, executing the control logicusing its smart phone processor system, may be used to download (via transceiverand/or communication port) and store a plurality of audio clips(in the audio clipsportion of its memory). The stored audio clipsmay then be used to control the one or more auxiliary speakers. Alternatively, or additionally, the smart phone may be used to download the plurality of audio clipswhich are then used to control the one or more auxiliary speakers and/or the cell phone speaker in real time. These embodiments may be particularly advantageous if specialty purpose auxiliary speakers are used to emit acoustic energy that kills mold and/or eliminates mycotoxins. Here, a consumer may purchase the specialty speakers and/or a control app (application) that is downloaded into their smart phone or the like. All such modifications and variations implemented in a smart phone or the like are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

In some situations, different ones of the plurality of audio clipsmay be particularly effective in killing particular types and/or species of molds. Depending upon the particular needs of the mold remedial project, selected ones of the plurality of audio clipsmay be used to kill a particular mold type and/or species of interest. For example, some experimental tests have shown a significant decrease in certain targeted type of molds when the presentation duration was fifteen hours.

Another example embodiment is configured to kill particular types of molds and eliminate the associated mycotoxins in a greenhouse environment. One skilled in the art appreciates that molds encountered in a greenhouse are often different than typical household molds. Accordingly, the selected audio clipsmay be predefined to target specific molds encountered in a greenhouse environment.

In practice, a series of predefined audio clipsmay be played that target a specific mold and/or mycotoxin that may be encountered in a home, greenhouse, or other structure. Then, a plurality of different predefined audio clipsmay be played that target a different mold. In some applications, the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay be operated on a continuous basis to discourage establishment of mold in the home, greenhouse, or other structure.

is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mold and mycotoxin remediation system. An optional handlemay be secured to the exterior of the enclosureto facilitate transportation and placement of the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemin an enclosed environment for mycotoxin remediation.

In some embodiments, the user interfacemay include an optional on/off button that is an actuator that is designed to turn on and then turn off the mold and mycotoxin remediation system.

is a perspective view of the front surface of an embodiment of the mold and mycotoxin remediation system. A plurality of user interfacesare provided on the front surface of the mold and mycotoxin remediation system. The user interfacesmay be used to control volume of the emitted acoustic energy, may be used to advance to a next audio clip(denoted by the controller labeled with right pointing arrow heads), replay a current audio clip(denoted by the controller labeled with left pointing arrow heads), and/or pausing current play (denoted by the controller labeled with a single right pointing arrow head). When implemented in a smart phone, the user interfaceis implemented as a graphical user interface (GUI) that is presented on the touch sensitive display of the smart phone. Any suitable user interface device now known or later developed may be used by the various embodiments and are intended to be protected by the accompanying claims. Further, any of the user interfacesmay be located on any surface of interest on the mold and mycotoxin remediation system.

is a perspective view of a delivery boxthat may be used deliver the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemto a customer. The mold and mycotoxin remediation systemmay then be conveniently provided to purchasing consumers through a variety of retail venues.

is an exemplary listing of a plurality of sound recording clipsthat are used to generate the acoustic energy content that remediates molds and mycotoxins in an enclosed environment, such as at a home, an attic, an office, a warehouse, a greenhouse or other structure. The non-limiting example listing indicates that the audio clipsare stored using a relational database. Each individual audio clipis identified using a unique file name. The listing may optionally indicate the file data type (here, the well-known mp3 data format). Any suitable file naming convention may be used by the various embodiments. Further, any suitable file data format suitable for storing the plurality of audio clipsused for generating acoustic energy may be used by the various embodiments. Any such variations now known or later developed may be used by the various embodiments and are intended to be protected by the accompanying claims.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the mold and mycotoxin remediation systemare merely possible examples of implementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Furthermore, the disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.